Sparkle in Grey
Encyclopedia
Sparkle in Grey is a Milan
, Italy
-based Electronica
and post-rock
project formed in the year 1999 by Matteo Uggeri (Laptop, Electronics and Field Recordings).
In 2005 two new members joined the project: Cristiano Lupo (Guitar and Drums), who was also in previous new-wave/industrial band Norm
with Uggeri, and Alberto Carozzi (Bass and Guitar), from the post rock band Yakudoshi.
In 2006 Franz Krostopovic joined the band with Violin and then Keyboards.
/Warp
style. So the first record, called The Echoes of Thiiings and issued by the small cult Italian label 'Afe' presents thirteen tracks of remarkable musical poetry. To this record several other musicians, including Nicola Ratti, Telepherique and Pleo, added their contribution with a second CD, called Fadiiing Echoes, which presents remixed versions of the original tracks.
Later on, in 2008, with the addition of guitars, bass, drums and violin, the music enriched with a lot of multiple layers and more complex structures, but always preserving its typical melodic and rhythmical style. The result is A Quiet Place, published by 'Disasters By Choice', that can be described as a sort of new post-rock based on electronics and with strong elements of experimental music (like field recordings and noise).
It's in this direction that the group collaborated with the industrial master M.B./Maurizio Bianchi
in 2007, publishing a joint album about the concept of 'clouds', that features the harsh crakcing of M.B. and his minimal drones or piano dissonant tunes together with the heartbreaking melodies of Sparkle on Grey.
In 2010 Black Fading records (of Disciplinatha's ex Singer Cristiano Santini
) releases "Whale Heart, Whale Heart", a completely new attempt in the field of acoustic music, where the band collaborates with the pop/folk singer and post-rock artist Tex La Homa
(Matt Shaw).
In 2011 a group of Italian and Swiss labes publishes "Mexico", an album that mixes the previous influences (post-rock and electronics) with dub, new wave and other genres. It was recorded by Cristiano Santini
, mixed by Giuseppe Ielasi and mastered by Andrea Serrapiglio (which collaborates with Carla Bozulich
.
“The music of Sparkle in Grey is always well balanced and extremely intense. “ Denis ‘Monopsone’ (Autres Directions)
“Nefelodhis: a timeless masterpiece.” Philippe Blache (Progarchives)
“The profound bass-line and the classical violin have something in common with Tuxedomoon
, but Sparkle in Grey show they have already achieved a personal and very poetic style.” Vittore Baroni (Rumore)
"Metamorfosi industriale", Blow Up, July/Aug 2008
"Gli intona(r)umori", Rockerilla, June/July 2008
"Delusion Song: here’s an example of a perfect song." Renato Scuffietti (Radio Popolare)
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
-based Electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
and post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
project formed in the year 1999 by Matteo Uggeri (Laptop, Electronics and Field Recordings).
In 2005 two new members joined the project: Cristiano Lupo (Guitar and Drums), who was also in previous new-wave/industrial band Norm
Norm
-In academia:A designated standard of average performance of people of a given age, background, etc.*Norm , a set of statements used to regulate artificial intelligence software...
with Uggeri, and Alberto Carozzi (Bass and Guitar), from the post rock band Yakudoshi.
In 2006 Franz Krostopovic joined the band with Violin and then Keyboards.
History
At the beginning the music of Sparkle in Grey, as a solo project, was essentially an electronic beat and melodies based assembly of soft tunes and delicate rhythms, in a sort of Morr MusicMorr Music
Morr Music is an independent record label based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1999 by Thomas Morr. Most artists on the label fall into the categories of intelligent dance music, electronica and dreampop, but all reflect Thomas Morr's personal taste...
/Warp
Warp
Warp, warped or warping may refer to:- Books and comics :* WaRP Graphics, an alternative comics publisher* Warp , comic book series published by First Comics based on the play Warp!...
style. So the first record, called The Echoes of Thiiings and issued by the small cult Italian label 'Afe' presents thirteen tracks of remarkable musical poetry. To this record several other musicians, including Nicola Ratti, Telepherique and Pleo, added their contribution with a second CD, called Fadiiing Echoes, which presents remixed versions of the original tracks.
Later on, in 2008, with the addition of guitars, bass, drums and violin, the music enriched with a lot of multiple layers and more complex structures, but always preserving its typical melodic and rhythmical style. The result is A Quiet Place, published by 'Disasters By Choice', that can be described as a sort of new post-rock based on electronics and with strong elements of experimental music (like field recordings and noise).
It's in this direction that the group collaborated with the industrial master M.B./Maurizio Bianchi
Maurizio Bianchi
Maurizio Bianchi is an Italian pioneer of noise music, originating from Milan.-Biography:...
in 2007, publishing a joint album about the concept of 'clouds', that features the harsh crakcing of M.B. and his minimal drones or piano dissonant tunes together with the heartbreaking melodies of Sparkle on Grey.
In 2010 Black Fading records (of Disciplinatha's ex Singer Cristiano Santini
Consorzio Suonatori Indipendenti
Consorzio Suonatori Indipendenti, also C.S.I. is an Italian band evolved from former punk/art band CCCP Fedeli alla linea....
) releases "Whale Heart, Whale Heart", a completely new attempt in the field of acoustic music, where the band collaborates with the pop/folk singer and post-rock artist Tex La Homa
Tex La Homa
Tex La Homa is a Dorset, UK-based post-rock project formed in the year 2000 by Matthew Shaw . The music combines "soft vocals with sort of distortion, surrounded by soft melodies, guitars and a bit of electronics to create almost pop-like modern ballads".-History:Tex La Homa released their first...
(Matt Shaw).
In 2011 a group of Italian and Swiss labes publishes "Mexico", an album that mixes the previous influences (post-rock and electronics) with dub, new wave and other genres. It was recorded by Cristiano Santini
Consorzio Suonatori Indipendenti
Consorzio Suonatori Indipendenti, also C.S.I. is an Italian band evolved from former punk/art band CCCP Fedeli alla linea....
, mixed by Giuseppe Ielasi and mastered by Andrea Serrapiglio (which collaborates with Carla Bozulich
Carla Bozulich
Carla Bozulich is an American musician based in Los Angeles, known for her work as the lead singer, lyricist and founder of both The Geraldine Fibbers and and as a founding member of Ethyl Meatplow. Her 2006 album, Evangelista, was released by Constellation Records, that label's first release by a...
.
“The music of Sparkle in Grey is always well balanced and extremely intense. “ Denis ‘Monopsone’ (Autres Directions)
“Nefelodhis: a timeless masterpiece.” Philippe Blache (Progarchives)
“The profound bass-line and the classical violin have something in common with Tuxedomoon
Tuxedomoon
Tuxedomoon is an experimental post-punk/New Wave group formed in San Francisco, California, consisting of core members Blaine L. Reininger, Steven Brown and Peter Principle....
, but Sparkle in Grey show they have already achieved a personal and very poetic style.” Vittore Baroni (Rumore)
Interviews
"Well the grass is always greener, huh?", The Silent Ballet, Feb. 2009"Metamorfosi industriale", Blow Up, July/Aug 2008
"Gli intona(r)umori", Rockerilla, June/July 2008
Radio transmissions
“A blend of electronic and post-rock music, where the acoustics tune in perfectly with the crackling of electronics." Nicola Catalano (Battiti, Radio3)"Delusion Song: here’s an example of a perfect song." Renato Scuffietti (Radio Popolare)
Prizes
"Sparkle in Grey, the recipients of an Honorable Mention in TSB's Top 50 Records of 2008", The Silent BalletSelected discography
- Goose Game, (2011, Grey Sparkle, CD-R/free download)
- Mexico, (2011, Lizard/Grey Sparkle/MCL/Afe/OldBycicle, CD)
- Whale Heart, Whale Heart, with Tex La HomaTex La HomaTex La Homa is a Dorset, UK-based post-rock project formed in the year 2000 by Matthew Shaw . The music combines "soft vocals with sort of distortion, surrounded by soft melodies, guitars and a bit of electronics to create almost pop-like modern ballads".-History:Tex La Homa released their first...
(2010, Black Fading Records/Grey Sparkle/MCL, LP) - A Quiet Place (2008, Disasters By ChoiceDisasters by Choice RecordsDisasters By Choice is an Italian independent electronic music label founded in 1995 and based in Rome.-Disasters by Choice Releases:*CDNUY022 Populous Remixed in basic 2010*CDNUY021 Gamers In Exile Mondomultitempo 2010...
, CD) - Nefelodhis, with M.B./Maurizio BianchiMaurizio BianchiMaurizio Bianchi is an Italian pioneer of noise music, originating from Milan.-Biography:...
(2007, Musica di un Certo Livello/Cold Current, CD) - The Echoes of Thiiings/Fadiiing Echoes (2005, Afe, CD-R)
- The Coldest January (2004, ctrl+alt+canc/sine3pm, mp3)